Adam Hammill

[Woobus]

I love Rafa, he's the best in-game manager out there, his tactical knowledge is second to none and his attention to details and improving players is exceptional, but there is one thing the man is **** at, and that's bringing youth players through. He's horrendous at it and nowhere near Ferguson and Wenger.

What nonsense, what player has Rafa let go who has proved they should play in a top 4 side? How many youth players did Wenger and Fergi bring through the system in their first 4 years?

Pretty gutted myself as I thought Hammill would make it, he was great in Scotland but I havent seen him since.

[Exiled_red]

What nonsense, what player has Rafa let go who has proved they should play in a top 4 side? How many youth players did Wenger and Fergi bring through the system in their first 4 years?

Pretty gutted myself as I thought Hammill would make it, he was great in Scotland but I havent seen him since.

It's not just the top 4, only Warnock has carved out a career as a decent premiership player

[5europeancups]

So few of these kids come good.

Adam Hammill like Paul Anderson are the latest in a line of Richey Patridge-esque Liverpool talents.

Someone says they are an exceptional talent when they are 15 and then they run along upto tthe time they are 21 adnd get sold on to a smaller club.

I watched Jordy Brouwer th other night. REally Great feet, but shocking in front of goal.

If he hasnt got that killer instinct now he never will have it and should be moved on.

Generally you can say that if a player hasnt broken into the first team on a regular basis before their 20th birthday they will never make it.

I cant understand why we signed new contracts for Spearing and Darby as I doubt wewould have signed these players from another club. Its difficult to see a future for them at Liverpool as neither are particularly exceptional.

Martin Kelly looks like a stand out prospect, as well as few others but in reality I cant see more than a couple of the current reserve/youth setup breaking through to a Liverpool team that cannot afford to take risks by giving youngsters and extended run in the first team to blood them in.

I wonder how many youth/reserves players cost in relation to Gerrard or Torres? 10 -1?

[Exiled_red]

I think the problem is with the way the youth and reserve systems are set up here. A full season for them is about 20-25 games. I know it's the same situation for all clubs but as we have alot of players, they aren't all getting enough match experience which hinders development.

I think the reserve level is so poor because of this. This is why so many of our players who look good in the reserves never make it. We always have one player in the reserves who people tout as being amazing or the next big thing and it usually doesn't work out

[Tee]

We have too many players. Need to concentrate on fewer numbers and more intensive coaching/development.

[-V-]

We have too many players. Need to concentrate on fewer numbers and more intensive coaching/development.

bingo

[Imy]

Hammill vs Tranmere was really quite impressive, he's got a good eye for the pass, he's fairly strong and is creative. He's one i'd keep in the squad and try to get to learn of Benayoun, Kuyt and specifically Gerrard and then give him a run out when we are comfortably winning games.

[saj]

Hammill vs Tranmere was really quite impressive, he's got a good eye for the pass, he's fairly strong and is creative. He's one i'd keep in the squad and try to get to learn of Benayoun, Kuyt and specifically Gerrard and then give him a run out when we are comfortably winning games.

Agreed. Hammill has always played at that level for whoever he has played for, be it our reserves or Barnsley. He's physically very strong and quick. I was convinced he would make it but there you go.

[DannyMan2006]

We have too many players. Need to concentrate on fewer numbers and more intensive coaching/development.

Not enough games for sixty players.

Still, he lets go of a few players to make the squad smaller and he gets moaned at! No win situation really.............

[jonymadness]

I am just catching up on this but I cant understand how people are blaming Rafa for the academy's failings??? He now has control, something the club appeared loath to give him for the past 5 years, so from now we can judge what he brings through.

Ferguson took over in 86, had full charge of the youth system and yet his 1st player (Giggs) didnt make the break-through until 92. Wenger took over in 96, his first player to come through was... help me out here? Cole??? in 2001.... after that, Fabregas in 2004/2005???

Rafa had an excellent record as a youth coach with Real, and this is probably the first chance he has had since then to develop a youth team, so I think he deserves time to do that. If he is here in 3/4 years time, it will probably mean that he has done something special with the first team so nobody will probably care but then will be time to judge his ability to bring young talent through.

[dww]

Not enough games for sixty players.

Still, he lets go of a few players to make the squad smaller and he gets moaned at! No win situation really.............

Did we not send something like 14 players out on loan last year? I think we do possibly have to many players but I think there is also an element of exaggeration and we are not out of line with the likes of United and Arsenal I don't think.

[Big-Red-Ed]

The period between 16 and 20 years old is a very difficult period for any sportsmen. We have all known excellent prospects over the years but that is all they are.

To go on to be a top player so much has to go right for you. Many young players have the requisite skills but now you also have to be a superb athlete in the modern game. This is not only a case of do you have the genetic advantages to be an athlete. It is also about how mentally strong you are to do the work, how you cope with the inevitable set backs, how you cope with being away from home, how you cope with the piss taking from the seniors etc.

It is a brutal unforgiving environment and that is why so many prospects fall by the wayside.

[DannyMan2006]

Barnsley manager Simon Davey has revealed the Championship club are on the verge of landing Adam Hammill and O'Neil Thompson.

Liverpool midfielder Hammill impressed during a loan spell at Oakwell last season and looks set to return to the Tykes.

Jamaica international Thompson shone during pre-season at Barnsley and is poised to be unveiled, along with Hammill, in the next 48 hours.

Davey told The Star: "We've agreed a fee with Liverpool for Adam and agreed a deal to bring O'Neill into the club, they're both players I rate very highly.

"It's been really frustrating to sign players, but Adam will be a really good signing for us, he's young and got lots of years in front of him.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5476391,00.html

[Redspin]

I am just catching up on this but I cant understand how people are blaming Rafa for the academy's failings??? He now has control, something the club appeared loath to give him for the past 5 years, so from now we can judge what he brings through.

Ferguson took over in 86, had full charge of the youth system and yet his 1st player (Giggs) didnt make the break-through until 92. Wenger took over in 96, his first player to come through was... help me out here? Cole??? in 2001.... after that, Fabregas in 2004/2005???

Rafa had an excellent record as a youth coach with Real, and this is probably the first chance he has had since then to develop a youth team, so I think he deserves time to do that. If he is here in 3/4 years time, it will probably mean that he has done something special with the first team so nobody will probably care but then will be time to judge his ability to bring young talent through.

Fabregas wasn't a product of Arsenal's youth setup. They bought him from Barcelona

[Tee]

Fabregas wasn't a product of Arsenal's youth setup. They bought him from Barcelona

A common misconception that really winds me up.